BATU PAHAT: The Government is planning to abolish over 400 types of licences as part of efforts to boost Malaysia’s competitive edge, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

“There are over 400 types of licences to be abolished in stages and we hope to achieve this by the end of next year,” said Dr Chua, a National Economic Council member.

Dr Chua said there would also be about 100 licences for which applications could be made online soon.

The online applications could help reduce elements of corruption and abuse, he said at Batu Pahat Petty Traders Association’s 65th anniversary celebration and its education fund raising dinner.

Dr Chua said the Government was still working out a list of licences to be eliminated.

Citing an example, he said there were over 20 types of licences for hotels alone.

There were 10 types of licences for sundry shops but this number has been reduced to six, he added.

On another matter, Dr Chua said any political party that wanted to replace the Barisan Nasional should discuss the country’s future socio-economic development.

“Pakatan Rakyat leaders seldom talk about this,” he said, adding that the Opposition only focused on spinning issues and had no socio-economic plan for the country.

In fact, he said Pakatan only had populist policies that generated a feel-good factor but of which could sacrifice the future of the nation with promises to do away with toll collection and the National Higher Education Corporation Fund loans.

Dr Chua also urged Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explain the allegations about RM3bil supposedly kept in 20 master accounts.

-The Star-